Google said to be preparing 12.85-inch Chrome OS laptop

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Reports suggest Google is soon to release its own-branded 12.85-inch laptop, running the Chrome operation system. This would not be a Chromebook, we understand, but a genuine competitor to Windows 8 and Mac notebooks.

The rumours have sprung from Chinese news site China Times, which claims that two Taiwanese manufacturers will be building the OEM machine - Compal Electronics and Wintek. The sources also suggest that initial supply shipments have already started, with a launch planned for the first quarter of next year.

Google has been rumoured to be looking to manufacture its own products for some time, mainly since acquiring Motorola earlier this year (when the deal was made official). It has allied with many other manufacturers on its Nexus and Chromebook products, including Samsung, Acer, Asus and recently LG with the Nexus 4 smartphone, but this will be an interesting move, dealing with suppliers directly.